Hollywood has been creating horror films for over a century, and it is fifty years since Roman Polanski directed Rosemary’s Baby, inaugurating the demonic creeper. Within only five years of that, William Blatty wrote and produced The Exorcist, arguably the best of the genre. These represent two contrasting treatments of supernatural evil: the diabolical chiller and the theological thriller. The year following Rosemary’s Baby, Polanksi’s wife, Sharon Tate, and four others were murdered at his home by the Mason clan, and in 1977 Polanski was arrested for the sexual assault of 13 year old girl model. Murder, scandal, addiction and abuse have been associated with Hollywood since the 1920s, but with accusations against of Harvey Weinstein of being a serial exploiter and rapist, a damn has burst and several agents, producers, directors, and actors have been exposed as sexual predators, with further accusations coming daily.

In this lecture the well-known British philosopher, and art and social commentator, John Haldane will explore these two aspects of Hollywood history: evil as a theme and vice as a fact. In discussing the latter, he will offer both an ethical analysis and a moral remedy.

Speaker Bio:

John Haldane is the Newton Rayzor Sr Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, Texas, and Professor of Moral Philosophy, and Senior Fellow of the Centre for Ethics and Public Affairs, at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He is also Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Chair of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, London. As well as his many philosophical writings, he has contributed to the Times and the Guardian, and broadcast often with the BBC UK and World, and ABC Australia. In 2016 he was named by Best Schools one of the ’50 Most Influential Living Philosophers’.

Parking:

Parking: Meter and street parking is available in the neighborhood, and Metro buses serve the area. There is an underground parking garage located at 1110 N. Western that is available per hour or per day. The parking garage may be free after 7pm weekdays. Free parking is based on availability and is not guaranteed.